Brahma-Sūtra 3.1.9

English of translation of Brahmasutra 3.1.9 by Roma Bose:

“If it be objected: on account of conduct, (we reply:) no, (the text is) meant to connote that (viz. work) metaphorically, so Kārṣṇājini thinks.”

Nimbārka’s commentary (Vedānta-pārijāta-saurabha):

If it be objected that in the phrase: “of a pleasant conduct” (ramaṇīya-caraṇā) (Chāndogya-upaniṣad 5.10.7), the word ‘caraṇa’ means conduct. Our purpose being served therefrom alone, the descent of the soul as possessed of the remnants of its works is not possible,—(We reply:) “No”, since the text about ‘Caraṇa’ “is meant to connote” work, “so Kārṣṇājini” thinks.

Śrīnivāsa’s commentary (Vedānta-kaustubha)

If it be objected: If in the text: ‘Those who are of a pleasant conduct attain a pleasant birth. Those who are of a stinking conduct attain a stinking birth’ (Chāndogya-upaniṣad 5.10.7), the word ‘Caraṇa’ means good and bad deeds, then alone we can assert that the soul descends as possessed of the remnants of its work for attaining good and bad births; but that is not the case. Why? “On account of conduct,” i.e. on account of behaviour. As the attainment of good and bad births, is mentioned here the word ‘Caraṇa’ does not mean work, but only conduct; and this latter has been designated in the Veda by the word ‘good conduct’ as different indeed from work thus: ‘Those works which are irreproachable are to be practised and not others. Those that are our good should be revered by you and not others’ (Taittirīya-upaniṣad 1.11). Hence to say that the soul re-descends as possessed of the remnants of its works is inconsistent,—

(We reply:) “No”, since the teacher “Kārṣṇājini” thinks that the scriptural test about ‘caraṇa’, is “meant to connote” work “metaphorically”, as in the absence of good and bad deeds, the attainment of good and bad births from mere conduct is impossible.

Comparative views of Śaṅkara and Bhāskara:

Reading different, viz. omit “tad”.^[1]

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Brahma-sūtras (Śaṃkara’s commentary) 3.3.19, p. 691; Brahma-sūtras (Bhāskara’s Commentary) 3.1.9, p. 155.